Local Shoppers Surprised with Gift Cards for Supporting Small Businesses

Pictured here are Soldierfit’s Front Desk attendant Stephanie Evans, Soldierfit Member Victoria and Solderfit KidFit member Leland Jones and Soldierfit Personal Trainer Antoine Robinson.

The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce distributed $500 in American Express gift cards to Gaithersburg and  Germantown residents o Shop Small® Business Saturday, Nov. 29.

Donned with small business pins, balloons, go shop small stickers and gift cards, GGCC Director of Events of Marketing Laura Rowles headed out and visited nine local chamber businesses. There she provided their customers with $25 American Express gift cards for shopping, eating, or getting fit locally. Businesses visited included: Butler’s Orchard, Soldierfit, Largent’s Restaurant & Bar, Pasha Land Restaurant, Jo’s Comfort Zone, Pinky and Pepe’s Grape Escape, Pet Valu, Downtown Crown Wine & Beer and Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa.

“This is a great way to bring some attention to our smaller retailers. We appreciate customers who Shop Small and this was a fantastic opportunity to reward those who do,” stated Marilyn Balcombe, GGCC president.

In 2010, Small Business Saturday began to help businesses with their most pressing need — getting more customers. The day happens every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and encourages residents to shop small and locally. The first-ever Small Business Saturday was held on November 27, 2010. In 2011, the U.S. Senate officially recognized the day. In 2012, an estimated $5.5 billion was spent at small independent businesses on that day. In 2013, 1,450 neighborhood champions signed up to rally their communities.

For the GGCC, the movement isn’t only one day. The chamber is primarily composed of small businesses. For a complete list of the GGCC members, please visit our membership directory at www.ggchamber.org.

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